See also:

Comparisons:

Covers/own material:

Own music set to commissioned poems

General comments:

Mara! is a world music ensemble from Australia. The Martenitsa Choir was founded by Mara! lead singer Mara Kiek after she spent 6 months in Bulgaria studying folkloric and choral music. They decided to record a collaborative album after ending a concert in which they had both played separately by playing together. The music has MANY wide and varied styles, but it fuses together quite well. A really interesting group. (JoAnn Whetsell)

Produced by:

Tony Gorman (exec producer Tim Dunn)

Comments:

The album is a seasonal cycle, and the text is from commissioned poems by Bulgarian poet and Martenitsa Choir advisor Stefan Kozuharov with music by Sandy Evans. The music itself is difficult to describe. You can hear elements of a whole range of different styles including jazz, Celtic, medieval, and stuff from all over eastern Europe. The album is basically traditional though, and these other styles are mostly influences, sometimes subtle flavors, but strong enough to add a really interesting and rich diversity and color to the album. Some instrumental tracks. Probably the most truly "world" world music album I've heard. (JoAnn Whetsell)

DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2012-05-19 23:06:09.
Please request permission if you wish to
reproduce any of the comments in the
Ectophiles' Guide in any context.